Editor:
Last Friday (Oct. 30) when I visited our crowded main post office, I was surprised to hear the clerk ask each customer, "And would you also care to donate a dollar to mental health?" Each customer said "Yes," and dropped a dollar into the box. When my turn came, I was asked the same question. Being blessed with a soul of granite, I don't care how many people know the threadbare state of my wallet. I said cheerfully, "I can't. I only have $10 to last me till Monday. In fact, maybe mental health should be giving to me."
Everybody laughed and I went on my way. Out-side I was stopped by a woman who whispered, "I couldn't afford it either, but was too embarrassed in front of all those people to say no. It's happening in the stores, too."
It strikes me as strange that store clerks, and particularly government employees, should have been roped in to hustle for charity - no matter how worthwhile - on top of performing their ordinary tasks. Does the importuning stop at one particular charity, or will customers be presented with a row of collecting boxes and told to make a choice? What about embarrassing those customers who can't afford to donate, but who don't like to say so publicly? If this is a new trend, it's a very bad one.
Jancis M. Andrews
Sechelt
